Entertaining, although unbelievable sci-fi thriller.

Rating: 8/10 (29 October 2010)

Lincoln Six Echo (Ewan McGregor) lives in a isolated, high-tech compound. Lincoln Six Echo like the others, who lives in this compound. They are fooled to believe that they are the survivors of a serious deadly virus. Supposedly, the compound is one of the few places, it is not effected by the disease. Residents are hoping to win to live on "The Island", which Residents everyday could win an trip to live there forever. Lincoln Six Echo discovers otherwise, he finds out, they have to be lied to. He discovers that the virus outside and "The Island" are only a myth. He finds out that the residents are used for body parts or otherwise and they are going to get killed. He takes Jordan Two Delta (Scarlett Johansson) with him to escape to the compound. He and Jordan Two Delta discovers, there is life outside the compound. Dr. Merrick (Sean Bean) hires an mercenary Albert Laurent (Djimon Hounsou) to kill or capture the two escapees. But Lincoln Six Echo and Jordan Two Delta finds out that they are worth millions and they are not supposed to exist as human begins.
Directed by Michael Bay (Bad Boys 1 & 2, Armageddon, Pearl Harbor) made an entertaining, action-packed thriller with science-fiction elements and an sense of humour set in the not too distant future. McGregor is solid as the lead action hero. Johansson does well in the well, although she doesn't quite to be believable as a action hero. Bean and Hounsou are strong in their supporting roles. "The Island" was an major box office disappointment in the U.S. but did well on overseas box office. This was Bay's first box office flop, although "The Island" was an major success on DVD.
The Canadian DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an strong Dolby Surround 2.0 Sound. Although Dolby Surround is great but I would have loved it to be in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound or in DTS 5.1 Surround Sound. Oddly enough, the Canadian DVD has an Dolby Digital 5.1 track in French! DVD also includes an decent running commentary track by the director and an behind the scenes featurette. For me, This is Bay's second best movie. My favorite for his work is "The Rock", i felt he never topped his second movie as a filmmaker. The only flaw, i see in "The Island", some of the highly imaginative action-sequences are way too over the top. But the look of the look is great with strong production designs and terrific special effects. But it is McGregor's strong performance keeps the movie together. Ethan Phillips is a hoot as one Lincoln Six Echo's friends. It is nice to see Steve Buscemi in a fun supporting role. Despite some flaws, "The Island" as entertaining, it is very good. Panavision. (****/*****).